England's innings at Headingley has seen a measure of stability injected by Harry Brook after India successfully removed centurion Ollie Pope early on Day 3 of the first Test. After India were all out for 471, England began their reply, and the spotlight shifted to how the home side would respond.

England resumed play on Day 3 at 209/3, trailing India by 262 runs. The day began poorly for England as Ollie Pope, who had played a magnificent innings to reach his century, was dismissed early, adding only six runs to his overnight score. Prasidh Krishna induced an edge from Pope, which was safely pouched by Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. This early breakthrough was a significant boost for India, who were looking to capitalize and put England under further pressure.

The wicket of Pope brought Ben Stokes to the crease, but the England captain couldn't settle, lasting nearly an hour before edging Mohammed Siraj behind. With two quick wickets, India was right back in the game, threatening to dismantle England's progress. However, Harry Brook, playing on his home ground, had other ideas.

Brook, who had a stroke of luck on the previous day when he was caught off a Jasprit Bumrah no-ball, began to counter-attack. Displaying aggressive intent, he took on the Indian bowlers, particularly the pace attack. He came down the track to Bumrah, hitting him through the covers for a boundary, and then lifted Siraj over the slips for another. His positive approach helped to relieve some of the pressure that was building.

Despite his aggressive strokeplay, Brook had a couple of close calls. Rishabh Pant dropped a difficult chance when Brook was on 46, offering him another life. He reached his half-century, his 12th in Test cricket, off 65 balls.

Jamie Smith joined Brook, and together they forged a partnership that further steadied the ship for England. They added 51 runs in 12 overs for the sixth wicket, frustrating the Indian bowlers. Smith looked untroubled by the short ball, dispatching one from Prasidh Krishna for a six. However, Smith's innings was cut short when he was dismissed by Krishna, edging behind to Pant.

Following Smith's dismissal, Chris Woakes came in to bat. Shortly after, India took the second new ball. With the new ball in hand, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj looked to make further inroads into the England batting lineup.